Cranberry Varieties

After propagating more than 20,000 progenies, several cranberry varieties have been released through Rutgers that produce more plentifully than the average plant and exhibit an accelerated bed establishment. Cranberries are also being tested for increased anti-oxidant levels. The team’s research also led to the discovery that cranberries and blueberries fight urinary tract infections.

Scarlet Knight®

U.S. Plant Patent # 22,541

In addition to functionality and disease resistance, the appearance and flavor of the All-Star Rutgers Scarlet Knight® cranberry has been carefully selected for a deeper color red and a sweeter taste. Enjoy Rutgers Scarlet Knight® cranberries this November!

• Color: darker red, uniform coloring, high red pigment (anthocyanin) content
• Flavor: sweeter, low titratable acidity
• Appearance: larger and rounder fruit, 2.4 grams/berry
• Quality: longer shelf life, good keeping properties
• Yield: higher, average of 300 barrels/acre

Crimson Queen®

U.S. Plant Patent #18,252

Crimson Queen® was the first variety released by Dr. Vorsa out of the Rutgers cranberry breeding program.

Qualities for Crimson Queen® include:

• Selected: for early fruit color development
• Color: high fruit anthocyanin (red pigment) content
• Size: large fruit, high vine (stolon) vigor
• Growth: quicker establishment and vigorous growth

This variety exhibits higher potential for large, consistent yields than the early-maturing variety ‘Ben Lear’. Crimson Queen® displays fifty percent bloom two to three days earlier than the variety ‘Stevens.’ Also, Crimson Queen® resulted higher yielding than the current standard variety ‘Stevens’ in WI and MA variety trials

Demoranville^®

U.S. Plant Patent #18,911

Mullica Queen®

Qualities for Mullica Queen^® include:

• High yield potential
• Coarse vine
• Tendency to produce multiple flower buds
• High fruit set
• Medium fruit anthocyanin (red pigment) content
• Rapid establishment
• Vigorous growth

Mullica Queen® is an earlier flowering variety, three to five days earlier compared to the variety ‘Stevens.’ Unique genetic background, unrelated to the commonly used varieties ‘Stevens’ and  ‘Ben Lear.’